What is an astronomical unit? the average distance from Earth to the Sun any basic unit used in astronomy the average speed of Earth around the Sun the length of time it takes Earth to revolve around the Sun the diameter of Earth's orbit around the Sun

An astronomical unit (AU) is defined as the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, which is about 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers. This unit is crucial for measuring distances within our solar system and helps astronomers to easily compare distances to other celestial bodies, such as other planets and stars. In real-world applications, the concept of the astronomical unit is vital for space exploration and satellite navigation. For instance, when planning missions to Mars or other planets, scientists and engineers rely on AUs to chart courses and calculate the time and resources necessary for a spacecraft to travel the vast distances in our solar system, making interplanetary travel more feasible!